Horseriding

One of the great experiences in Cambodia has been Clancy's opportunity to learn about horses and riding. He is so comfortable around them now and happily pushes one around to get at the hoofs. we will ceratinbly miss this, perhaps there's a pony of to running around on a South Pacific island.

Norodom Sihanouk du Cambodge Horse Jumping Championships Finale

The final day of the event. Clancy competed really well, completing the course properly. He didn’t place but the way he handled the horse and guided him was all one could hope for, so very well done and more exciting for me than my event. The Adult course was really difficult and I didn’t get a complete round with Unique shying at jump 3. We came back and cleared it but by that stage without a clear round I couldn’t complete the timed section of the course. That was disappointing as I had clear and 1st place rounds in the previous two events. Anyway, the course pulled up all the other riders also and I still finished with the best round and won week three. As a result I was crowned (in the French because it sounds way cooler) Le champion le Grans du Cambodge in my division!

Proud Mum

While both mum and dad were proud yesterday, this morning the boy shone for mum. I had put out his clothes for school (shades of blue), but when he decided that he would take his first place ribbon to show everyone he advised me that the clothes I had picked wouldn’t match his ribbon. A quick change and all good.

Clancy of the Overflow

In the first of the champion ship events Clancy finished 6^th of the 6 riders in his Pony 1 Division (previous story on 17^th January). This week 2 children were away and the two de Besombes boys weren’t allowed to ride as punishment for something bad they did during the week (their parents aren’t saying what). Anny and I were obviously excited because Clancy would get a 2^nd place (only two riders left). The other rider Laura Belloy won the competition clearly in the first event. Well bugger me if Clancy didn’t outride her today for the 1^st place. I’m not sure who was more surprised, Clancy or us.

Photos:

CCCCSHIP RND2 (21). Clancy rides like his Opa drives, always looking everywhere but where he is going.

CCCCSHIP RND2 (33). Clancy excited when he realizes he won and gets a ribbon.

CCCCSHIP RND2 (35). Soraya, General Manager of the CCC and the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia present Clancy and Chou the first place ribbon.

CCCCSHIP RND2 (44). Instructor Hop Sopharith, Clancy and Chou Chou with 1^st place ribbon.

Day 2 of the Norodom Sihanouk Show Jumping Championship Cambodia

Today was the second of the three event days of the Horse Jumping championship. Next Sunday is the final day. I can’t believe how nervous I was going into todays event, wanting a clear round. Unique seemed asleep today and while we had sluggish round we finished clear and in first position again and scored another trophy. Next week is a double point event and I’ll need a clear round to stand a chance of taking the overall division. Fingers crossed!